Week 43 - All Nerves

The Numbers (as of 09/27):

		Pushups	Crunches	Kata	Sparring	Journey (Swim)	Journey (Bike)	Journey (Run)	Kindness	Journal	Video
Annual Totals:		41,560	41,585	208	580	5	1,184	988	842	42	6
						2,177
Annual Targets:		50000	50000	1000	1000	2400			1000	52	12
Percent of Annual Targets Complete		83.12%	83.17%	20.80%	58.00%	90.71%			84.20%	80.77%	50.00%
Notes:
9/18 - Reset kata count: total so far (817) divided by 7 = 117 total and 883 to go = PANIC

Well, the itty-bitty kata number got an itty-bitty bit bigger, that's the most important thing. Got my sparring count back up this week, too. So, the gaps are closing slowly but surely. Still, I have a feeling the last few days of December will be a kata/spar-a-thon for me. Anyone wanna join me? :)


The Training:

It feels hard right now. So many katas. I mean... SO many. I liked it better when kata was my happy place. Sparring... is also hard. Most of the time I'm wishing I could just slow it all down and see what I could have done. How my feet should have moved. I'm using more reverse punches and still trying to figure out the angling thing.

Dropped my mileage way down, probably earlier than I should have, but had to get the kata in. Besides, mileage wise I'm in good shape. The triathlon is 6 days away and I've been nervous for about 4 days already. That kind of nervous that you feel in your throat. I've wanted to do a 1/2 iron for a long time now, but I'm ready to put this race behind me. This is going to feel like a real accomplishment - if I make it :) And It will give me some time back. And my living room back (right now there is bicycle stuff everywhere). 


The Challenges:

I'm entering the phase of fighting off the burn-out. I've said it before, I'll say it again: The hardest part of this test is the mental challenge. It's not about staying motivated, I'm stubborn enough to survive some un-motivated moments. It's about remembering that I want this. And I do. And that's kind of how that conversation goes. About once a day-ish.


Fear:

I think this is why I do a lot the things I do.     

Week 42 - Oh Here's a DOOZIE!

The Numbers (as of 09/20):

Notice the kata count, but try not to panic as much as I did/am...

		Pushups	Crunches	Kata	Sparring	Journey (Swim)	Journey (Bike)	Journey (Run)	Kindness	Journal	Video
Annual Totals:		40,510	40,535	144	548	5	1,154	970	825	41	6
						2,129
Annual Targets:		50000	50000	1000	1000	2400			1000	52	12
Percent of Annual Targets Complete		81.02%	81.07%	14.40%	54.80%	88.71%			82.50%	78.85%	50.00%
Notes:
9/18 - Reset kata count: total so far (817) divided by 7 = 117 total and 883 to go = PANIC

This is going in my cubicle, on  my fridge,
in my wallet, in my car, on my bicycle...

Yeah, that says 14%. That made me cry. Seriously, there were tears. Here's that doozie I was talking about: I've been averaging 3 katas a day, shooting for the 1000 target. Turns out I was supposed to be doing 3 of each kata a day. So while I was comfortably doing 3, I should have been doing 21... Every day... For the last 291 days. Yep... that's a gap of about 4,800 katas. So the tears were warranted, I think. At first it was pure panic and disappointment. I didn't see that being a gap that was possible to overcome. Then, I went home and did the math: 9 of each kata a day, 63 total, will put me where I need to be by December 31st. I don't know if it's possible to maintain that. I'm on the 5th day of it and, honestly, it's not fun. It's mentally exhausting. It's about 30 minutes of kata, 3 times a day. But... I have to try, right?!?! You don't run 24 miles of a marathon then go grab a bag of potato chips and call it a day. You crawl if you have to. So... away I crawl... If you ever see me at the dojo, just sitting, tell me to do a kata or 7 or 63! :) ARGH!


The Training:

Well, apart from being my worst enemy, I have to say it's still going well. Mostly because it's still going and I didn't (though I was very tempted) go grab that bag of potato chips. It's all about keeping my head in the game right now. Been making progress on sparring, need to do the same for kata. 

The triathlon is around the corner, 2 weeks out. The coming week will decrease my overall mileage but have a longer ride, hopefully a swim and just keep up with the running. 

Still not quite where I should be with my eating but am very fortunate to have friends who give me leftovers and such. Will get my fruit drawer stocked today, that will help.


The Challenges:

Ummm... 63 katas a day. 63! 


Message of the Week:

Sensei says the most important requirement in this test is "no quitting."

Week 41 - 90% Mental and the Other Half Physical

The Numbers (as of 09/13):

		Pushups	Crunches	Kata	Sparring	Journey (Swim)	Journey (Bike)	Journey (Run)	Kindness	Journal	Video
Annual Totals:		39,460	39,485	801	524	5	1,094	949	805	40	6
						2,047
Annual Targets:		50000	50000	1000	1000	2400			1000	52	12
Percent of Annual Targets Complete		78.92%	78.97%	80.10%	52.40%	85.30%			80.50%	76.92%	50.00%

All I really have to say is that it's nice to see those 80-something %s. So very nice, indeed. And even nicer to see the sparring gap continue to shrink. So far so good. I feel like I get a bit of downhill to catch my breath.


The Training:

Also applies to Black Belt Tests
at Zen Martial

All the extra sparring helps but it sure is tiring :) I'm gaining an appreciation for rotations in sparring, too. This round I only defend, next round only attack, then hands only, legs only, etc. It makes it easier to learn how to see things or respond to things. It's the repetition. Learning is so much about repetition. Kata = happy place. I'm working up and down from Seisan to Kusanku right now to assure myself that no forgetfulness is slipping in. Not exactly "looking forward" to reviewing Sanchin, but do like knowing that it means the end is near :)

As far as the triathlon goes, this is that period where I have to accept that the condition I'm in is the condition I'm in. This week was a pull-back on the mileage for next week to surge up a bit. Then a ten day taper, 3 days of rest and then race day. It's going to be what it's going to be. I'm comfortable with my conditioning but know that there will come a point on race day where sheer stubbornness (please read determination) saves me.

Healthy eating... ehhhh. I've not paid enough attention to that and need to get back on a better track. Which really just means I need to get myself to the grocery store. Funny how that falls to the bottom of my priority list when it really shouldn't. 


The Challenges:

Honestly, right now I'm just panicking about the triathlon. I'm having to deal with the stuff I didn't plan well enough for: Coordinating with my friend who has a wetsuit I'm borrowing, get the bike in for a fit tweak and a tune-up, the proper gear for the distance, need to get new shoes and stop running on this tread-less pair. That kind of thing. The goal will be to get those taken care of this week so I don't completely freak out next week. Haha.


Motivation:
These are some of the things that come to my mind when I'm at that place in a race where I just want to lay down and take a nap. And then I know I have to keep going...

Week 40 - Almost to the 80% Mark!

The Numbers (as of 09/06): 

		Pushups	Crunches	Kata	Sparring	Journey (Swim)	Journey (Bike)	Journey (Run)	Kindness	Journal	Video
Annual Totals:		38,560	38,585	783	492	5	1,054	914	786	39	6
						1,972
Annual Targets:		50000	50000	1000	1000	2400			1000	52	12
Percent of Annual Targets Complete		77.12%	77.17%	78.30%	49.20%	82.18%			78.60%	75.00%	50%

The numbers make me happy. It's nice to see a representation of what's been accomplished so far. And, I love that I'll be entering into the 80%s this month. With the mileage where it is now, I'm pretty sure the last few months of this thing will be a lot easier on my legs! Got a couple of short videos posted so progress there. And so far so good on the increased sparring and staying consistent with it. 


The Training: 

It was a good week all around. Kept up the high mileage (just a couple of these weeks left), maintained the higher sparring rounds count and survived a Kusanku demonstration. 

The amount of sparring is helpful, but it's not always easy to cram it all in (I'm going for 32 rounds a week to get caught up). I know what my weaknesses are in sparring and that they aren't things that I can fix in the next 4 months, but I can work on them.


I'm enjoying the time spent on Chinto kata and Kusanku kata. Those katas are a lot of fun to work on because they're really dynamic. Each kata steps up a notch in difficulty and by the time you get to Chinto it's just fun to get to do all the twists and jumps. Difficult, but fun :)

Got a 1.2 mile swim in, too. That felt really good because that's my race distance and the farthest I've ever gone. I'm enjoying swimming a lot more than I thought it would. i don't want to enjoy it, but I do :) Cycling is good, still tweaking the bike fit, getting more comfortable in the aero position. Running... Good to go. I'm ready to get past this triathlon and start focusing on some strength training.


The Challenges:

Same stuff: time management, staying positive. But admittedly I'm getting calmed by the fact that I'm almost 80% there. It feels good to be nearing the end. 


The Levels:

Motivation: Nice and steady
Next Event: Sept. 7 - Giant's 1/2 Marathon; Oct. 5 - Rancho Cordova Challenge 1/2 Iron


Kindness: